Conception and fertility
Pre-conception
Psychologists in the Antenatal and Postnatal Psychology Network assist women and couples with decisions and difficulties that arise around the time of conception. Some women and couples seek pre-conception counselling to decide whether to go ahead and have a family. Counselling at this time, can help women and couples with ambivalence about becoming parents, differing opinions within the couple about starting a family, or uncertainty due to personal fears surrounding becoming parents. Some people see a psychologist to resolve particular issues prior to starting a family. Anticipating becoming parents can be a time when couples choose to work on their relationship difficulties, and on other family relationship difficulties that have been a source of stress.
Conception
Some women experience difficulties falling pregnant, with pregnancy losses being part of the picture for some. This can be a very distressing time, and women especially, can experience heightened levels of anxiety, desperation, and low mood or depression as a result of not falling pregnant. This can be particularly difficult when other women (friends, family members, work colleagues) are falling pregnant. There can be a range of emotions that arise during the process of trying to conceive a baby (e.g., sadness, fear, worthlessness, guilt, resentment, anger, etc.) The anxiety (and in some cases, obsessiveness) that can accompany the process of trying to conceive, can take a toll on women and on the couple relationship. This is a common time for women and couples to seek counselling to better manage their feelings, responses, expectations, and unhelpful behaviour. An important focus at this time, can be on keeping lines of communication open, and working on maintaining a strong, supportive relationship.
Assisted fertility and IVF
A further range of emotions is often present when IVF and other forms of assisted reproduction is undertaken. It can be a time of renewed hope and anticipation, but also a time of confusion and despair if cycles don’t result in the longed-for pregnancy. Each woman’s experience of treatment is unique and for some, the physical and emotional side-effects of treatment can be daunting and unexpected. This is often a time when women and couples seek counselling to help them through the demands of treatment and to help them better understand their own and each other’s reactions.
Single women and same sex couples who contemplate and pursue donor conception often seek assistance in working through the complex issues they face in this process.
A further range of emotions is often present when IVF and other forms of assisted reproduction is undertaken. It can be a time of renewed hope and anticipation, but also a time of confusion and despair if cycles don’t result in the longed-for pregnancy. Each woman’s experience of treatment is unique and for some, the physical and emotional side-effects of treatment can be daunting and unexpected. This is often a time when women and couples seek counselling to help them through the demands of treatment and to help them better understand their own and each other’s reactions.
Single women and same sex couples who contemplate and pursue donor conception often seek assistance in working through the complex issues they face in this process.
Infertility
Coming to terms with infertility presents a myriad of often conflicting emotions, ideals and dreams, and many women and couples find it helpful to work through this difficult process with a supportive professional who can offer guidance, compassion, and the necessary space to grieve and explore the emotions involved. For some people, coming to terms with their infertility means creating a meaningful future that does not include children. For other people it entails exploring alternative ways of creating family.
Coming to terms with infertility presents a myriad of often conflicting emotions, ideals and dreams, and many women and couples find it helpful to work through this difficult process with a supportive professional who can offer guidance, compassion, and the necessary space to grieve and explore the emotions involved. For some people, coming to terms with their infertility means creating a meaningful future that does not include children. For other people it entails exploring alternative ways of creating family.
